Xbox Series S Vs PS5: Price, Performance, And Features Compared

Aria Freeman

4 min read

Post on May 07, 2025

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Price Comparison: Budget-Friendly vs. High-End

The most striking difference between the Xbox Series S and the PS5 is their price. This is often the deciding factor for many gamers.

• Xbox Series S price: The MSRP is typically around $299.
• PS5 price: The standard PS5's MSRP is $499, while the digital edition is $399.

While these are the manufacturer's suggested retail prices, you can often find both consoles at lower prices during sales events like Black Friday or during special bundle deals offered by retailers. Keep an eye out for these opportunities to snag a deal on your preferred console.

However, the price difference can widen when considering storage expansion. The Xbox Series S has a much smaller internal storage capacity (512GB) compared to the PS5 (825GB or 1TB depending on the model). Expanding storage on both consoles requires purchasing external hard drives or SSDs, significantly impacting the overall cost, especially for the Xbox Series S which often requires a more expensive, faster SSD for optimal performance. This makes the "budget gaming console" label for the Xbox Series S somewhat conditional.

Performance Showdown: Graphics, Frame Rates, and Loading Times

The Xbox Series S and PS5 offer vastly different performance capabilities, primarily due to their differing hardware specifications.

Graphics Capabilities

The PS5 boasts significantly superior graphics capabilities. It supports 4K resolution and features enhanced ray tracing technology, resulting in more realistic lighting and reflections in games. The Xbox Series S, while capable of running many games, typically targets 1080p resolution and offers a more limited ray tracing implementation. For example, while both consoles can run Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, expect higher resolutions and smoother ray tracing effects on the PS5.

Frame Rates

Frame rates, a measure of smoothness in gameplay, also differ substantially. The PS5 generally delivers higher and more consistent frame rates, especially at higher resolutions. While the Xbox Series S can achieve good frame rates in many games, it may need to lower settings or resolution to maintain a smooth experience, particularly in graphically demanding titles. The difference can be especially noticeable in fast-paced games.

Loading Times

Both consoles utilize fast SSDs, resulting in generally quick loading times. However, the PS5's custom SSD often offers a noticeable advantage, loading games and levels faster than the Xbox Series S. This faster loading translates to a more seamless and immersive gaming experience.

Feature Face-Off: Exclusive Games, Online Services, and Storage

Beyond raw power, the feature sets of the Xbox Series S and PS5 also influence the gaming experience.

Exclusive Game Titles

This is a key differentiator! Sony's exclusive titles like Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Horizon Forbidden West, and the upcoming Marvel's Spider-Man 2 are PlayStation 5 exclusives. Similarly, Xbox boasts exclusives such as Starfield and titles from Bethesda Game Studios. Your preference for specific franchises will significantly impact your console choice.

Online Services

Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus offer distinct subscription models. Xbox Game Pass provides access to a large library of games for a monthly fee, including many day-one releases from Xbox Game Studios. PlayStation Plus offers online multiplayer functionality and a smaller selection of free games each month. The value proposition of each service depends heavily on individual gaming preferences.

Storage and Expandability

As mentioned earlier, the Xbox Series S's 512GB internal storage fills up quickly. Expanding this requires purchasing a compatible NVMe SSD, adding considerable cost. The PS5 offers more internal storage and offers more flexible expansion options with compatible NVMe SSDs and external hard drives for less demanding games.

Conclusion

The choice between the Xbox Series S and PS5 depends significantly on your priorities. The Xbox Series S offers a budget-friendly entry point to the next-gen gaming experience, sacrificing graphical fidelity and storage space. The PS5 delivers superior performance and features but comes with a higher price tag. Weigh the factors discussed in this comparison of Xbox Series S vs PS5 to make the right choice for your gaming experience!